 |
 |
|
|
NASA's Spacecraft Propulsion Research Facility (B-2) is the world's only facility capable of testing full-scale upper-stage launch vehicles and rocket engines under simulated high-altitude conditions
|
|
|
+ Learn More
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The space simulation facilities listed below are located at Plum
Brook Station. Very large and potentially hazardous tests are run
at this 6,400-acre complex in Sandusky, Ohio, about an hour west
of Cleveland.
The
facility names above and in the left hand column of the chart below
link directly to the related facility site pages.
Facility |
Description
and Features |
|
| Description: |
World's
largest high vacuum facility |
| Focus: |
Flight
qualification testing
• Integrated power system tests
• Fairing separations
• Mars Landing Systems Tests
• Planetary and Lunar Surface Simulation |
| Dimensions: |
30.5
m-dia x 37.2 m-long
(100 ft x 122 ft) |
| Vacuum
System: |
(16)
48 in ODP (oil diffuser pumps)
(10) 52 in cryopumps |
| No
load pressure: |
1
x 10-6 torr |
| Pumping
Speed: |
1,300,000
liter/sec (air) |
| Features: |
•
Thermal Simluation
• Configurable cold wall
• Quartz lamp heater arrays
• Large test article handling
• Very low vibration environment |
|
|
| Description: |
World's
only upper stage propulsion facility capable of space
simulation and rocket engine firing. |
| Focus: |
Upper
Stage Launch Vehicle Qualification Testing |
| Dimensions: |
10.7
m dia x 16.8 m high
(35 ft x 55 ft) |
| Vacuum
System: |
(32)
48 in ODP (oil diffuser pumps) |
| No
load pressure: |
5
x 10-7 torr |
| Pumping
Speed: |
350,000
liter/sec (air) |
| Features: |
•
Hot Firing
• Thermal Simulation
• Hazardous Testing Capability
• Altitude Simulation
• 27 ft. test port |
|
|
| Description: |
Hazardous
testing requiring a high vacuum |
| Focus: |
Propellant/
Cryogenic Fluids |
| Dimensions: |
7.6
m dia sphere (25 ft dia) |
| Vacuum
System: |
(4)
35 in ODP (oil diffuser pumps) |
| No
load pressure: |
5
x 10-7 torr |
| Pumping
Speed: |
150,000
liter/sec (air) |
| Features: |
•
Hazardous Testing Capability
• Thermal Shroud
• Vibration Testing |
|
Royal
Tank |
| Description: |
High
Vacuum Facility |
| Focus: |
Component
Screening (checkout of hardware for large facilities) |
| Vacuum
System: |
Diffusion
pumps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
